Brazilian municipal police report sharp drop in street robberies in Niterói and surge in arrests in Rio

The municipality of Niterói announced that street robberies fell 44.74% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, marking the lowest level since the series began in 2003. Reductions were also recorded in thefts from pedestrians, cellphone robberies, and other petty crimes, with June reporting no cargo thefts and the city completing 11 months without fatal bodily‑injury assaults.

Mayor Rodrigo Neves said the city will add 80 new municipal guards on 3 August and call in an additional 90 agents, bringing the Niterói Guard to the legal maximum of 1,000 officers. The administration highlighted integration with state and federal forces as a key factor in the crime decline.

In Rio de Janeiro, the newly created Municipal Force logged 925 arrests and summonses during its first four months of operation, following more than 7,800 police interactions in 12 high‑theft zones. Officers recovered 163 stolen cell phones, 168 motorcycles and seized firearms and weapons. The force focuses on proactive, visible patrols to prevent property crimes across the city.